Docklands bombing victim says he believes Gerry Adams played ‘major part’ in IRA

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

A man injured in the Docklands bombing has said he believes Gerry Adams played a “major part” in the IRA.

Jonathan Ganesh, giving evidence at the High Court in London in a civil case brought against the former Sinn Féin president, told how his mental health had suffered as he “relived the nightmare” of the bombing.

Ganesh was injured in the 1996 London Docklands bombing, which killed his friends Inam Bashir and John Jeffries and injured more than 100 others.

Along with John Clark, a victim of the 1973 Old Bailey bombing in London, and Barry Laycock, a victim of the 1996 Arndale shopping centre bombing in Manchester, the three men allege that Adams was a leading member of the Provisional IRA on those dates, including of its Army Council.

They are seeking £1 in damages.

Adams denies that he had any role in the Provisional IRA and is opposing the claim.

Anne Studd, representing the three men, asked Ganesh what was his catalyst for bringing the proceedings.

Ganesh said he was “very concerned regarding Mr Adams’ behaviour” in bringing legal action against the UK Government.

He said: “I felt that is not right for all of the innocent victims who have suffered.”

I don't suggest for one minute that Mr Adams drove the lorry or planted the bomb but I do believe he played a major part in the IRA

James Robottom, representing Adams, asked Ganesh if he was bringing the claim to seek justice.

He said: “Some kind of justice, that is correct.”

The barrister asked if he was also bringing the case on behalf of other IRA victims.

Ganesh said: “That would be a fair statement.”

Robottom said: “You want to be able to say Gerry Adams is the man responsible for the bombing that injured you?”

Ganesh said: “I don’t suggest for one minute that Mr Adams drove the lorry or planted the bomb but I do believe he played a major part in the IRA and I thought he had some involvement with the attack.”

The barrister said: “You believed in the aftermath of the bombing that your injuries were attributable, caused by Gerry Adams?”

The witness said: “I believe he had some involvement in it but I don’t believe he actually planted the bomb.”

The barrister questioned the witness about why he did not bring the case against Adams years earlier.

Ganesh said after the 1996 bombing he was angry, but never opposed the peace process in Northern Ireland, even though it led to the early release from prison of James McArdle, who had been convicted of the Docklands attack.

He said he thought the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 would have prevented him from bringing a compensation claim against Adams earlier.

He said: “In my heart I was hoping the peace process would work.”

When you are in a very dark place, you keep reliving that nightmare all the time, you relive it like a record that keeps playing all the time

Ganesh said it was only when Adams announced his intention to sue the British Government, that he explored the possibility of bringing a case against him.

Ganesh said he had previously been awarded £1,000 by the criminal injuries compensation scheme due to shrapnel injuries.

He told the court he was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and had received extensive treatment.

The barrister asked if he had considered making another claim for compensation, based on his mental health issues.

Ganesh told the court: “My primary concern was to get myself well… that was my primary goal, not to seek compensation.

“When you are in a very dark place, you keep reliving that nightmare all the time, you relive it like a record that keeps playing all the time.

“The last thing I was thinking about was receiving substantial compensation. I just wanted to get my health better.”

Adams was in the courtroom in London as the evidence was delivered.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson and party MP Gregory Campbell were also in the courtroom on Tuesday.

The trial before Judge Swift is expected to end next week.